A Culinary Travel Sampler

Culinary tours allow travelers to go beyond the hotspots and experience the history, culture and distinct tastes of a destination, according to an annual survey of the United States Tour Operator Association active members. The survey shows that more than half of respondents (53 percent) planned to offer new “experiential” travel programs this year, naming culinary themed tours at the top of the list.

“Travelers tend to be more adventurous when exploring the world and this includes their taste buds. Many would rather take part in native culinary traditions than eat the same food they can get at home,” said Terry Dale, president of USTOA. “Luckily for travelers, USTOA members recognize the importance of food in travel and celebrate authentic culinary experiences around the globe.”

Gourmets Descend on Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit

Celebrating its 18th year, the Festival Gourmet International is slated to return on November 8 to 18 in Riviera Nayarit/Tepic and Puerto Vallarta. During this 10 day event, the public can make reservations at available events such as: chef’s tables, winemaker dinners, cooking demonstrations, tequila tasting, and wine and cheese events, among others.

Every night during the festival, resident chefs and their guest chefs will showcase custom menus at participating restaurants. Throughout the week, there will be progressive dinners, wines and spirits tasting, and a tour that includes transportation by the famous Trolleybus to multiple area restaurants.

Silversea Cruises Showcases ‘Flavors of Europe’

Culinary Arts voyages from Silversea Cruises showcase the skills of culinary experts and award-winning chefs of top dining establishments from around the world, including the internationally acclaimed chefs of Relais & Chateaux, the international association of properties and gourmet restaurants. A special Culinary Arts voyage titled “The Flavors of Europe” will take place onboard Silver Explorer, sailing April 29 to May 13, 2013, from Lisbon to Portsmouth, offering an array of culinary demonstrations and activities on board and ashore.

Crawfish are a Turks and Caicos delicacy.

Turks and Caicos Hosts Food and Wine Festival

In a joint effort between several luxury resorts and select restaurants, Turks and Caicos Islands will hold its second annual Caribbean Food and Wine Festival from November 1 to 3. The festival will bring together some of the island’s well-known culinary creations with winemakers and chefs from the United States. Chef John DeLucie is will headline the welcome dinner with wine and food pairings from Tuck Beckstoffer, Duck Pond Cellars, Terlato Wines and La Sirena Wines. There will also be tasting events throughout the weekend, featuring the “Street Food Fair.”

Barbados Celebrates Food, Wine and Rum

The third annual Food and Wine and Rum Festival in Barbados will take place from November 16 to 20, 2012. It will be headlined by Chef Marcus Samuelsson, who will lead a group of international talent that includes Food Network stars Anne Burrell and Aaron McCargo Jr. Also participating for the first time in the event are Chef Stephanie Izard and wine expert Joshua Wesson, who will join returning chefs Mark McEwan of Canada and Barbadian-born Paul Yellin, who now based in New York.

‘Grape Escape’ at Luxury Italian Villa Il Salviatino

In celebration of the harvest season, luxury Italian villa Il Salviatino is offering a new travel package created with Allegrini Wine Estates, called “The Grape Escape,” with an itinerary of wine tasting, gourmet dining and spa time. Embarking on the wine-inspired tour of Tuscany, guests will be chauffeured to the Poggio al Tesoro estate in Bolgheri to enjoy wines and traditional Tuscan dinner. After a night spent in the estate, the tour includes: a cellar visit, wine tasting and a lunch at the San Polo estate in Montalcino. The package is valid until December 28.